LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
THE ALLIES AND FRANCE
Sia,—I have read with interest the article published in your issue of January 9th by "A French Correspondent" concerning allied policy towards Vichy-France and the Free French Forces. Your cor- respondent seems to believe that a recognition of General de Gaulle's National Committee by the Allies as the true representative of France might lose us the sympathies of those Frenchmen who, without being in favour of the Vichy policy, do not wish to give allegiance to the Free French Movement. Nobody will deny that some of the argu- ments developed by your correspondent are very sound and reason- able, but, on the °the, hand, the maintenance of friendly relations with the Vichy Government, whose allegiance to Germany is clear to everyone, may cast doubts in the minds of the great French masses as to the real intentions of the United States and Great Britain concerning Vichy-France and the policy which the men of Vichy represent.
After all it seems more important to win over definitely the French people than the help of some very intelligent and high-placed per- sonages who, for reasons of their own, may not wish to take openly side for the Allied cause. Nothing - can be more harmful to the Allies in the eyes of the average Frenchman than the constant volley of appeasement towards Vichy as practised by the U.S.A., for France is not only opposed to Vichy because of the subservience of the Petain Government to Germany, but also she does not want a totali- tarian regime such as Marshal Petain has established with German help.
The difficulties of which your, correspondent speaks might be over- come by _a declaration of the Allied Powers that General de Gaulle's Movement is considered as expressing the will of the French nation to fight with her allies in order to free French territory from foreign occupation and that, therefore, the Comite National is recognised as representing France until the French nation has freely expressed her constitutional will by free elections as soon as these will be possible after the liberation of the French territory. General de Gaulle could give a solemn pledge to the Allied Governments to the effect that he will take the necessary steps for a general election as soon as conditions in France will permit him to de so. and that he will respect the people's verdict Such a promise would only confirm the declarations made by General de Gaulle in public speeches and broadcasts. The recognition of the Free French Movement as the representation of France with the Allied Powers would probably help to shorten considerably the period of disorder which might be the consequence of the inevitable downfall of the Vichy Government after an Allied victory.—Yours sincerely, M. SIMON. 42 St. George's Square, S.W.I.
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